Correspondences for Death (Necrobotany)
FLOWERS
- Dandelions, ideal for connecting with certain spirits
- Roses, to show your love for the deceased
- Calendula, for blessings and love
- Marigolds, perfect for ancestral worship
- Lilies, for a sense of security and togetherness, ideal for deceased children
- Orchids, for balanced emotions and adoration, ideal for deceased lovers
- Daisies, also ideal for deceased lovers and lost family members
- Tulips, to spread happiness
- Carnations, a common funeral flower, especially in France. Used in The Netherlands to remember fallen veterans specifically
- Heather, said to conjure ghosts and open portals between worlds. Can be used to heal deceased warriors, as it’s said to only grow where no blood has been shed. Heather also marks the resting places of fairies
- Holly, often planted in graveyards to protect both the dead and mourners
- Hyacinth, helps souls cross over the veil after death
- Bluebell, used to comfort those who are mourning
- Cowslip, associated with death and rebirth
HERBS
- Lavender, for peace in passing on. Used to heal the dead, aid with divination and dreams, and protect the home.
- Thyme, to give peace to those who died in violence. Use to contact both the dead and fairies
- Rosemary, for remembrance
- Chervil, often used in rituals for the dead
- Mugwort, usually used to aid in divination and communication with the dead
- Bay, usually used to aid in divination and communication with the dead
- Lemon Balm, for peace and healing
- Wormwood, to strengthen communication with the dead, as well as for healing and revenge
- Basil, used in purification and cleansing rituals, a common symbol of sorrow in Ancient Greece. Use to aid in divination, hedgecrossing and spirit communication
- Cinnamon, can amplify divination magic, and was used in the Ancient Egyptian mummification process. It’s commonly associated with spirit and deity work
- Dittany of Crete, burned to manifest spirits, also valued as a symbol of love and healing
- Fennel, a protective and purifying herb used to prevent spirits from entering your home
- Juniper, guards against ghosts and illness, used in healing and purification spells. Juniper berries make good offerings for the dead
- Mint, a popular funerary herb in Ancient Greece, also used for healing and protection during travel
- Mugwort, used in spirit work
- Mullein, can help one see spirits of the dead and the afterlife
- Oregano, it was believed that growing oregano on graves ensured the dead were happy
- Parsley, has a strong association with the dead, also has protective qualities
- St John’s Wort, used in spirit work and divination
- Marsh mallow (Althea), associated with death and rebirth, marsh mallow can be used in departing rituals and to honor those who have passed
- Foxglove, used for contacting the dead and underworld deities
TREES
- Cypress, heavily associated with death and spirits, as well as being sacred to Hades and Persephone. Makes a good offering for the dead
- Hawthorn, associated with death, and serves to drive away unfriendly spirits. Was also said to be a portal to the Otherworld and is sacred to fairies, so don’t mess with it
- Hickory, associated with mourning and death
- Poplar, is sacred to both Zeus and Hades, and represents death and rebirth. Often used for Samhain, ancestral rites, funerals and ceremonies involving the underworld
- Willow, a common symbol of death, even being a popular ornament on gravestones. Sacred to both Hades and Hecate, as well as being associated with ghosts and spirits
- Yew, represents death and rebirth, and is sacred to Hecate. Runes, Ogham sticks and Ouija boards are commonly made from Yew wood
- Elder, used in death rituals and funerals
FRUITS
- Apples, a common Irish symbol for the dead
- Pomegranates, to represent various Death and Underworld Deities
INCENSE
- Myrrh, commonly used in death magic to give off good energy
- Frankincense, a traditional incense to offer the dead
- Dragon’s Blood, burned to aid in spirit work and protection
- Sandalwood, burned to support spirit work, protect a space and consecrate tools
- Wormwood, develops psychic powers, carried to provide protection, and hung to ward off malicious spirits
LIQUIDS
- Water, a traditional offering for the dead, often left out for passing spirits
- Wine or other alcohol
- Juice, namely pomegranate or beet
- Oils, such as olive oil, pomegranate oil, coconut oil, almond oil, etc.
OTHER
- Coins
- Grains, especially brown bread
- Darkly-colored or Earthy-tone Candles
- Foggy Weather
- Marsh Water
- Snow, especially snow collected from graveyards
- Cleaning up graveyards
- Songs and Music
- Anything personal to the person you’re giving an offering to
DEATH DEITIES
- Anubis, Egyptian God of Death, Mummification and the Afterlife
- Arawn, Celtic ruler of the Otherworld, Leader of the wild hunt, and God of Death and The Underworld
- Baba Yaga, Slavic Goddess of Death and Rebirth
- Cernunnos, Celtic God of the Wild as well as Liminality and the transition to the afterlife
- Cerridwen, Welsh Goddess of the Moon, Rebirth, Transformation, Death, The Underworld and Magic
- Ereshkigal, Mesopotamian Goddess of Death and the Underworld
- Hades, Greek God of the Underworld
- Hel, Norse Goddess of the Underworld and Death
- Morana, Slavic Goddess of Winter and Death
- Odin, Norse God of Wisdom, War, Poetry and Death
- Osiris, Egyptian God of the Underworld, Death and Resurrection, Fertility and Agriculture
- Oya, Yoruba Orisha of Weather, Death and Rebirth, Patron of the Niger river and a Psychopomp
- Persephone, Greek Goddess of the Underworld
- Santa Muerte, Mexican folk goddess of the Afterlife, Healing and Protection
- Thanatos, Greek personification of Death
- The Morrigan, Celtic Goddess of War, Magic, Death and Rebirth, Sovereignty and Fate
- Veles, Slavic God of The Underworld, Earth, Water, Music, Magic, Trickery, Cattle and Wealth
WHAT TO DO WITH OFFERINGS
- Write a message on an herb or flower and burn it to “send” the offering
- Leave coins, flowers and herbs on the grave
- Pour liquid into the ground, or leave them out in a bowl (make sure it won’t harm the local wildlife)
- Leave them out as “standing offerings” for any dead who pass by